Insect catcher



SWL 7 1943 H. R. ETZLER- 2,328,632

INSECT CATCHER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

ETE. 1.

Sept.. 7, 1943., H. R. ETZLER 2,3%532 INSECT CATCHER Filed Nov. 14, 19415 sheetssheet 2 fr larg /4 Sept 1943.

@5mm E H. R. ETZLER INSECT CATCHER Filed Nov. l14,1941 5 sheets-sheet 5ly hung on a wall.

Patented Sept. 7, 1943 UNITED STATES P'iENT OFFICE rNsno'r entrenan f`Harry n. Einer, Mount Clemens, Mich. y Application November 14,1941,Serial No; 419,188 l I I (ci. i3-13s) h Y 7 Claims.

This application is `a continuation-in-part of and successor Vto myprior application Ser. No. 359,96Lled October 5, 1940, and abandoned infavor of the present application and my copending application Ser. No.430,291,1iled February 10, 1942. e

This invention relates tofan insectcatcher set,

' and especially to a manualfdevicel for catching flying insects and areceptacle therefor and which device may be retained out of sight in-said receptacle when not in use but be available for ready removal anduse, fromI the receptacle usual- I am aware that iiy swatters and spraysare used for catching such insects and, While these have been successfulin operation, they have 'also been found objectionable. In the case yofboth of them, the insects have to be collected and disposed of and oftenfall unnoticed into food material in' the kitchen, on the `dining table,etc.,` proving a quite unappetizingspectacle to contemplate. Theswatters usually maim or crush the insects, with consequent soiling anddisguring of the object on which they are swatted, and

it is usually a mangled insect thatV must be disposed of andthe swatteritself becomes contaminated,

retaining this respulsive aspect. Sprays are costly, are not usuallyready when needed and provide `nauseating and irritating fumes, -andoftenV the insects' must be gathered primarily due to the fact that ithas never provided, as in the present invention, a relatively still" andflat form-sustaining entangling sheet.

YSuch a sheet may be of any desired area and thickness and mayactuallybe used independently f a shield or of'a handle, being graspedmarginally by the ngers and wielded through the air tocatch, theYinsects, substantially retaining its shape during the operation, and itis also capable of embodiment, permanently or replaceably, in

vvarious forms using a shield of paper, for instance, and preferablyhaving a handle, in all examples providing an inexpensive, light-weightarticle which is used to swoop insects fromthe air.

'Ihe light weight offered by my structural design, due mainly to theinherent form-supporting character of my entangling sheet, is imperativeto the success of theV device in that its lig/ht weight diminishes thedanger of destructive impact and allows for freer and less tiringoperation, addedf rapid` performance and minimum danger to the soft orharmless exterior parts, regular profile, quiet action, andotherfeatures, 'in all providing a set of corelated properties conduciveto care-free'and elcient wielding, considerations which were neglectedin the prior art and which have mainly contributed to the cause of`their failure to be accepted by the public.

I aim toprovide such a catcher of light weight,

inexpensive, least resistant to passage through the air, and leastliable to fan the air or increase the air pressure in advance of itthereby startling the insect and reducing the chance for its capture.

In all cases', the stiff, form-sustaining or inherently `self-supportingform of the' entangling sheetprevents excessive bulging, buckling,kinking,` sagging, or loss of shape. The article asa whole may beburnedior in any other manner disposed rof,

terior that it cannot scratch *or mar 'any surface which it contacts,utilizingthe stiffness of the entangling sheet for the supportand'shaping of the shield and preferablyfa handle attachedfto either o-rboth the shield 'and the entangling sheet, and, in some instances,interconnected in a novel manner affording the requisite strength.

Another object of my invention is to provide a receptacle of a simpleform preferably `to be fastened to a `Wall and have sheltering and guid-4ing means to' facilitate the insertion of the catcher and means toretain the latter.

i further aim to provide a quiet-acting device and one having anoutline'vvhich` is less likely to catch onto and pull'other objects loutof place and also one having small mass, thus allowing from concussion.f

I further provide, in all examples, exceedingly v.simple and inexpensiveconstructions which are to beftaken as representative rather thanlimitary and which may utilize in their manufacture readily adaptableinexpensive materialsV like paper, pulp and wood,

My device is manually operated. A person grasps the device and waves it,broadside, to and fro, through the air, where the insect is ilying,manipulating it to touch the insect kwiththe entangling surface of thedevice. In case a iiy is resting on an object, the entangling sheet isbrought to sweep past, close by, the surface, thus frightening theinsect and causing it to fly off into the air in front of theapproaching entangling sheet and to be touched by it, and, in the eventflies are in secure locations, the operators idle hand may be used toscare the insects out into the open while the device is being waved tocontactthem.

Variousadd'itional objects and-,.advantageswill, in part, becomeapparent, fro-m a consideration of the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the receptacle Ll Figure 2'is avertical sectionltakenlomtheline 2-2 0f Fig. 1.

Figure 2a is a detailed section taken onthe"20 :.barris provided.ratione fside of :the sheets asta 3 r reinforcement. v

:Figures 7.1tof.13,'inclu'sive,disclosefragmentary sectionsrofnmodiediformsofzfshieldsi-adf means 4wherebytlfieirentarrglingssheetfiszlcari'iedf' thereby.

."Eigure'l 14 :is aperspectivelfview showing the-use Y 35ooffanzentangling sheetlisedeasi an insect catcher,

i saidl sheet'ibeing. :devoidt of eamarginal.- shield.

Fig. is a fragmentary perspectiveviewvof conespe-cic formofra varietyof.` entangling. sheets thatfzmayi be;used. 1,4

:Figure I6s za fragmentarygperspective View. of 1-.another.speoi'ficfomnoofia varetyfnofientangling sheets thairmaytbernsed.

Figures 1'7 and 18 are detailed sections,:=illus tratingfurtherrxnodifcations: of marginalshields f: and :means for attachingionengaging'entanglin'g sheets .tot orwithitheshieids:

:EEjigure` 19fista plarnyiew -illustrating: a fcatcher f havingarmo'clied form: of .shie1d.

igure.; 20::is :.arfragmentary .plant View .1 offA anf -other form f, offthe ninvention. 'having .i a ifurther sspecifc:formzofrshield.

Eigu-refZL .isai planfiziew: ofstillsanotherj form loffftherinvention,ha'vingla :differentswaybfaar- `:ranging ..the :handie :parti withintthe'zshielding l.:Ira-me. f f .'r-Eigure22i'isaa::fragmentaryimlanrviewrofsfan nextra staunchfsectinnofcthesshield orstramer Ito support theihandle.

rFigure1:23ais'ra'rverticalrsectionalmiew:throughfzGO a another;lformunf. thejmrentionghainglas shield nanct specific; `formrotthanclle.

;&Figure; Ms. 21a-perspective. yieuclshdwing..an-.en l Ita-nglingrsheet-iwdth: afrhandlec attachedgfb-ut: :Wit-hout a shield, being usedas an insectmatcher.

.Referringpecificallynto lthadrawingswherein .like charactersxdesignate.ililesor; similan parts,`. Vit ,.is'to ibe:bonminnrmind-.thaltthezillustrated Vforms n azrersimplwexamples ofsmne of AtheIvarious. forms oor. mddificationswwhich theiinventionlmaystake.

In Figure 1, the insect catcher:setpasawhole, ssiszxillustratedswith.ther catcher; part proper designnasted .An shown' as ;a\1mhole"n.=plan-View: Figf, inserted rinto` the'rrecentaclefBfzandi having only 10 of.thereceptacle.

ceptacle part B. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the catcher-set together.

This receptacle is usually fastened, as at I0 in Fig. 2, preferably highon a wall so that the 5 catcher A may be readily inserted into andremoved from the lower end thereof, aided by guides I I on the sidewalls of the receptacle and a slide I2 being the rear wall of thereceptacle and which parts I I and I2 extend below the openingI.doA.-not..limit.myself to the "material-of 'which thevrreCfptaclejBz.is made or to the specic form thereof. It may be made ofpaper which will alford sufficient resilient action to grip or retainthe catcher A. I may also use,

Offer.' the same purpose, an element such as a strip of stiff paper suchas cardboard to form a hump which isgluedA to the receptacle, asdetailed in .--Eig.f2a, vor formed' integral therewith.

The catcher A, in all forms, employs a sheet offentangling material, asdesignated I 4. This sheet-vl4 is of openwork-or ,openxmesh formation,and-.fone-forrn:may-y bea-sheet of textileor other fabric. whichis-stiffened :in any .desirable rmanner to render-it lforrn.sustaining..This sheet may ghe-'wovenpand,b to .impart stiffnessztofit, .may besubjected to a coating or impregnationfwitheany suitable material. `Or,thissheetwmaybe fabri- .cated fromv parts thatare. in themselves stiffor form-sustaining. .-In 'all instances, thefsheet- 'I4 0 is appliedor'coated 'over itssurfaces :With-.anfin- ,.sect'entangling material. v

4.Thesheet could' even be form-sustainingfwhen wielded as a catcherwhen'graspedwith-.ones Y ngersat themarginthereofeas shown in-Figure14,' or` :when graspedfby ahandle Ma. attached rto the sheet;x asfshownfin Figure= 24. f I .The sheet Mmight also-beoffthe. specific. formshownfin-Figa 15, where theelements .whichprovidea-.cellular.`construction .having openings I5 0 whichnare made .up ofstripsor.thevlikeflfwhich form parti-tions. of a vgreater depth than.their thefentangling::material. I1..fmay.take the form ;.of. a coating,on .the side; Yfaces of thepartitions -within-themeshesvi. l l A A v.

n. .Another -forrn of. the Aentanglingsheet is shown in-Figure;-16,consisting of 4strips I8 fcrossedl-by .,superposed strips I9, gluedthereto,\andal1 strips, .-.asz-welllgas those. inz Fig. 15, :suitablystiffenedz to :.be., form sustaining. .The sheet-of; Figure 16`is'ofrial,..or they may Ibeg-moulded;v stampedforotherwis-e.. formed .;IrornV plastics. or .made of papiermache v Y Iny Figures .1'.to. 4, a.`marginal shield y.2L-surrounds ,the.- sheet I 4, the .latter being.marginally -,glued,.\or in. anysmanner fastenedrtorthe shield 2 Iintermediate.thegopposite `edges vfof the latter. Asshown byeway oflexample only,V shield! Iv has itsendsoverlapping, as at 22,-.and-g1uedtogether, ...if desired, fand both provided with a-nopeningf 23 through.which'a'manipulating handle 24,.usually cof woodppasses.- such handleAbeing reduced-tofhalf lthicknesswithin the.shield, asshown in 4Figure2, fand at thetpoints-of contact with lthe shieldgglued or otherwisefastened to the shield. Such shield f 2,I, Ainthe; presentvinstance,andfin all instances nheohandlerpartthereofrfprotruding from .the re-.-.75 rlateraleedges arel fin. ,-ispacedrrelaton toi theeentanglingsheetto cause'it to projectifoutfrom opposite side faces Aof' the entangling`sheet' to the end that when the catcher isi setiupona support-l ingsurface, the entangling sheet will'be heldin spaced relation to thesurface and the surface will not be marred by contact with any partofthe catcher or the entangling qualities. of the sheet impaired. Thatportion of the handle'which extends across the entangling sheet'give's"added stiffness to the sheet `and the shield, andit'also functions tobrace and secure the outwardly ex-Y tending part of the handle totherest of the device, the stiifness and form-sustaining qualities of theentangling sheet imparting shape to the shield 2l and maintaining itextended operatively against collapse. i 4 Since the shield, togetherwith the sheet, are of form-sustaining character, and the side walls ofthe receptacle being of suicient resiliency, easy means are provided forthe receptacle B to em-V brace and retain' the catcherA. I may also usefor the purpose an element such as a strip of paper of stii: kind suchas cardboard'to form the hump I3 and glued to the `receptacle or formedintegral therewith. I l

In the form ofFigures 1 to 4 andi all other forms where the handle has aportion extending over and touching the entangling sheet, the en-V,tangling material is also put on that portion of the handle which thenbecomes part of the entangling surface. f In Figure 5, I have shown anembodiment -of the invention wherein'the handle 24is slitVlongitudinally from its front end to form longitudinally extendingparallel arms 24'; the sheet of material I4 being disposed through the jslit and the arms adhering to the confro-nting surfaces of the sheet. Yv In Figure 6, I show a transverse4 reinforcing member 21 extendingacrossthe sheet I4 at the opposite side to that of the handle part 26and along the entangling sheet and this member 21 is preferably attachedthrough the sheet to thea-djacent part of the handle. f e l In Figures 7to 13 and 17 and 18, I show various modifications which the shield 2|may take. In Figure '1, the sheet I4 is glued between two` inwardlyextending flanges of strips 28 of angular form. In Figure 8, the sheetI4 is entered in an outward recess 29 on the shield in which it Amay beglued, if desired. In Figure v9, the shield 3U has an inwardly depressedrib 3l against either side of which the Vsheet I4 may be placed. InFigure 10, the shield has two sections 32 and 33 glued together, part ofthersheet 33 being bent to form a ledge 33a against which the sheet I4is placed. In Figure 1l, `the sheet I4 is permanently or removablymounted between ledges 34 formed by inwardly crimped portions of thestrip of which the frame 35 isformed. In Figuref12, the shield 36 has anoffset shoulder or ledge 31 against which the sheet |4 is placed.` InFigure 13, the shield 3B has the sheet I4 marginally glued or otherwisefastened to the planeninside wall thereof, this wall having marginalreinforcing beads 351, which stiften the edge of the shield. In Figure1'1, the shield strip 4I) has inwardly projecting or return portions 4Iwith flanges 42 between which the sheet I4 is removably disposed orglued, as preferred, the outer edges `of strip 40 constitutingreinforcing beads 43 which provide also dull or rounded edges for theshield. In Figure 18, the shield 44 has an angular strip of material 45glued to it, against which the sheet I4, in turn, is placed.

wiseheld thereto.` The shield is formed of a single stripwhichfextendsabout the sheet and has oneend glued, as shown at 41, theother extended end portion ofthe strip being bent to form a` yoke 48which is glued to the shield, as shofwn at 48a,.and projects rearwardlyfrom the shield. The yoke tapers rearwardly and, at its apex, isperforated to receive the handle 49 which has its front-end glued to theshield.

Figure 20 ldisclosesa construction somewhat similar to Figure 19, butemploying a strip forming a shield about an entangling sheet and an endof which is extended to form a rectangular outer part describing thespace designated 50 within which a brace 5I is fastened to opposed stripportions 52 and 53. The handle 54 passes through strip portion 53 and issecured at the junction of portions 5I and 52. i

In Figure 21, the shield 55 is of the construction shown in Figure 4,but the handle 56v has its portion within the shield formed with arms 51which are curved longitudinally and diverge forwardly at a tangent toeachother. .These arms are glued to opposite side faces of the sheet 58and,. at their front ends, may be4 glued to the shield;

In the form shown in Figure 22, the shield con-` sists of aVV strip 59having its ends fastenedto a: stauncher strip or bar 59a of balsamwoodor other light material. Usually, a wooden handle 49 is inserted andfastened in a hole 49a formed in the cross bar 59a. l

The form of Figure 23 differs from the other forms in Vthatthe handleSi), usually of wood, is slit, as shown, and has spaced apart portionslpassing through openings at one side of the shield 2l and, at theirfreelends, these .portions 6I are glued or otherwise fastened to theconfronting portion of the shield. Po-rtions 6| are located on oppositesides of thesheet I4 which, as usual, is held fastened marginally in anysuitable manner within and to the shielding frame 2l.

It will be understood that I have made thef foregoing disclosures by wayof example only andL the scope of my invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

l. In combination, a device for catching insects comprising acomparatively stiff self-sustaining sheet having an entangling-surface,a handle for carryingand manipulating the sheet, and a frame oflflexible yieldable material fitted about and in shielding relation tosaid sheet andits entangling surface and vsustained-in form and againstcollapse by the stiff` sheet, and a housing for holding the catcher whennot in use and adapted to be mounted on a support, saidhousing havingenclosing walls relatively arranged so as to be engaged by the vframewhen the catcher is in,- serted therein to maintain the catcher in anupright position and being open at one sidefor in. sertion and removalof the catcher, certain of said wallsA of the housing having portionsextending beyond the open side of the housing and forming flaringguiding means for guiding the catcher into the housing, and means onopposed walls of the housing adjacent to its open side for engagingopposed sides of the frame to hold the catcher disposed within thehousing and yieldably resisting removal of the catcher from the housing.

2. In combination, a rectangular self-sustaining insect entangling sheetformed of stiffenecl that they are not to be `taken as limitations of InFigure 19,.,the' shield, which is designated. 46,.surrounds and has thesheet I 4 glued or other-` r'naterial; a vvrectangular.ishield;-framefzabout the sheetforrriedof .fa :strip of )material fitting-aboutandzsecured; to :the sheet andjsustained and heldrfrom'co-llapsethereby,l and .'aifhandle tozca-rry andv manipulate-thesheet and frame, ,andl areceptaclehaving'zacbody `of rectangularformation toV house thezcatcher` when `not'in' use, thewalls of thehousing -bodybeingiadapted yto snuglyrenclose the catcher and:relatively'arranged .soas to4 be engaged'by the surfaces E of 'theframe when thev catcher is inserted to maintain the catcherin anupright. position,1 said .housing having anopen sideforrinsertion. andremovall vofrthe` catcher r.and ofssuch size andshape as toAbesubstantially closedabyv the base portioniof :the shield frameof:the.catcher when Aso inserted, `'three of the walls ofot-h'e. housingextending 'beyond its fourth wall at open side vand -forming:guidingpmeans engageableby the frame forguiding the catcher into thehousing, and keeper meanscarried by certainof the walls o-f-thehousingat vopposite sidesyof the.,openingiandengageable with oppositesides. ofthe frame :foryieldably` resisting removal Aof the. frame frornvthehousing' 3.1 Inlcombination, a receptacle adapted for attachment to a`support and having an entrance and exit'opening, and anv insect catcherslidably insertible into and withdrawable from the receptacle throughsaid opening, said catcher .comprising. a'blade formed of asheet ofnormally soft, flexiblefmaterial stiffened to render it self-sustaining,and a shield frame of relatively less stiiness than the materialcomprising the sheet Aand marginally secured to and sustained againstdeformation by the sheet, said fran-1e4 embodying at least twoopposedsurfaces adapted to yield inwardlyto a'certain degree against thestiiness ofuthesheet; the receptacle having guide surfaces engageablebysaid opposed surfaces of the frame forrguiding thezcatcherinto and outofthe receptacle, and resilient engaging elements of comparativelysoft1naterial onv the receptacle adjacent'to the. exit openingengageable with said opposed surfaces fof vthe frame to hold theinserted; catcher withinv the receptacle and permit of its -slidingwithdrawal therefrom. l

4.- Irr combination, a receptacle including front,` back and side wallsand having an entrance and exit passage opening through its bottom andthrough the lower portion of its front wall, the

back wall and side walls having portions depending;..be1ow. the loweredge of the front wall and dening said passage the depending portions ofthe sidewalls being outwardly ared, an insect catcher including aA bladeand a shield frame about the blade `slidably insertible into andWithdrawable from the receptacle through said passage and adapted to beguided into and out of the receptacle by engagement of said frame` withthe depending portions of the back and side walls, and retainingelements on the` side walls of the receptacle adjacent to the passageand said depending portions of the side walls engageable with oppositesides of the shield frame for yieldingly` holding the catcher within thereceptacle and permitting of its sliding withdrawal therefrom.

aeaaesz.

outwardly fared, and an insect catcher slidablyA insertibleY into andwithdrawable from the said passage, said catcheraincluding a blade and ashield frame bounding the blade and having side portions spaced adistance substantially equal to the distance between the inner. surfacesoiv the side walls of the receptacle, and resilient retaining elementson the side walls of the receptacle adjacent to the passage and to saiddepending portions ofthe side walls for yieldingly engaging the sideportions of `the catcher frame and hold; ing vthe catcher within thereceptacle and permitting of its sliding withdrawal therefrom.

6. In combination, a receptacle of rectangular form and including front,back and side walls and havingan entrance and exit passage openingthrough its bottom and through the lower portion of its front wall, theback wall and side wall having portions depending below the lower edgeof the front wall and dening said passage, and an insect catcherslidablyinsertible into and withdrawablefrom the said passageandincluding a blade and a shield frame bounding the blade, said blade'andframe being of a form toiit snugly within the rece-ptcle, said frameincluding side portions spaced a distance substantially equal to thedistance between the inner surfaces .of the side walls of the receptacleand also including a base portion adapted to substantially close theentrance and exit passage of the receptacle when the catcher is enclosedtherein, and resilient retaining elements on the side walls oftherecep'tacle adjacentto the passage and to said depending portions ofthe side walls for yieldingly engaging the side portions of the catcherframe and holding the catcher within the receptacle and permitting ofits sliding withdrawal therefrom.

'7.y In combination, an insect catcher, comprising a substantially flatbody portion having insect entangling substance applied thereto, ashielding frame iittingabout the body portion and extending outsubstantially perpendicularly from the body portion in shieldingrelation to the entangling substance, a handle attached to the insectcatcherto facilitate manipulation thereof, a receptacle for vthe catcheradapted to engage a support and house the insect catcher when not inuse, the receptacle having front, back and side walls defining anopening for the insertion and removal of the catcher, certain of thereceptacle walls extending beyond the opening and having an outwardlyaring portion adjacent the opening to guide the catcher into thereceptacle, and keeper means on opposed walls of the receptacle toengage the catcher for yieldably resisting removal of the catcher fromthe receptacle.

HARRYl R. ETZLER.

